Sebastien Heintz's Blog

I'm posting this a little late, but here's a video recap of the May 2017 Quality Sport Planes OPEN HOUSE and West Coast Zenith Fly-In, hosted by Doug Dugger at his facility at the Cloverdale Municipal Airport in Cloverdale, California (about an hour north of San Francisco).

Here's my report of the 2017 Sun'n Fun fly-in held last week (April 4 - 9) in Lakeland, Florida, with photos and videos of the trip to and from Lakeland from the Zenith Aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri. Watch the videos for additional info (with narration) and check out some of our Facebook posts of the trip and the…

Today, November 21, is Chris' 78th birthday. While most of you know Chris or are familiar with him and his work, I know many new Zenith builders and owners are not as familiar (since his retirement about six years ago) so below I am sharing an article written by aviation writer and friend Jim Cavanaugh in 2011 for the "Zeniths to Oshkosh" celebrations honoring Chris Heintz at EAA AirVenture.…

Roger and I went flying this morning in the Zenith CH 650 to summarize the events at the upcoming 25th annual Zenith Aircraft Open Hangar Days and Fly In coming up in a couple of weeks at the Zenith Aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri:

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I AM in the process of starting a B mod on a zenith 601 xl. The plane had recently been in a accident and had damaged firewall and nose gear. I replaced the floor skin and am in the proccess of fitting the new bulkhead. the main gear and wings are both removed and it is shored up on tables my questions are: can i install the b mod with the landing attached and the aircraft sitting on the ground, or is it better to install it while its shored up on the table

Just saying a quick hello and also wondering how your Dad is these days. It sure would be nice to have him say hello on this forum and tell us what he is up to of late. I was lunching in KFC in Tasmania Australia the other day and a gent sat down that in my mind very closely resembled Chris and so I wondered how he was. Though I have sold my plane, I still peruse the forum when I get the chance to stay up to date with new developments. I will someday soon be plans building the 750 Cruzer. I think that you have ticked a lot of boxes with this design and congratulate you.

Had I lived closer to most members, I might make upgrade kits for CH 701 with a (downloadable?) 'how to' manual complete with photos, drawings and videos on flight testing. With everything shown for DIY, many will want to just put cut and formed parts together the most expeditious way.

But as is, I'd rather have you do it, if you want to. ;^)

As a retiree, building CH 701 is a very good hobby. I like it since my first flight with the previous owner in Puerto Rico. If the Honda Viking can make good record here, my third Zenith airplane might be another roomy (modified) CH 701 to take up my huge sons.

I have a question if I may... I have a CH701 and I asked for a 1200lbs gross instead of the usual 1100 lbs. Since it's a NEW AIRPLANE (amateur built in Canada) the MD-RA inspector (for amateur built) requested a letter from the designer (or representative) stating it can be flown at 1200 lbs GW - but that the load factor/limit will be affected... Plans for the CH701 already states that and show the calculation in such a case. I sent him a copy of the page but that won't do. I also sent him a copy of the Canadian Aircraft Registration table showing CH701s already approved at 1200lbs (and sometimes more) and still it won't do.

Is there such a document stating that the CH701 can be flown at 1200 lbs provided the pilot is aware that load limits will go from +6/-3 G downt to +5.5/-2.8 G ?

The inspector told me I could register the plane at 1100lbs and after request an upgrade to 1200lbs to Transpost Canada which will be given right away. The inspector doesn't want to do it without the Letter because it will be on his head and if T.C. does it, he stays in the clear.

If I can't get the Letter, I'll have to refile all paperwork, get my flight permit and ask for the increased GW afterwards... Delays, Delays, bureaucraty and such...

I Know of quite a few builders that have requested 1200lbs from the start and were never bothered with this...